History

Designed to bring education and culture to the local community, it once featured a concert hall (the Queen's Hall), a winter garden, library, swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis courts and the technical schools.

The Queens' Building is also home to the elegant and unique Octagon. Built in 1887, and inspired by the Reading Room at the British Library, it was originally used as the Queen Mary Library. It spans over 23 metres in diameter, with two cast-iron galleries that encircle the entire building and rises to a height of over three storeys with an elegant central dome.

Busts of Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dryden, Milton, Johnson, Wordsworth, Scott and Byron are complimented by plaques to Pindar, Homer, Virgil and others.

A large section of the building, including the Queen's Hall, was completely destroyed by a fire on 26 February 1931 but then rebuilt in the following years. 

 

Step into the enchanting Grade II listed building

A stunning yet historic building nestled within the heart of the Mile End campus.

The Queens' building is not just a venue, it's an ideal space for intimate gatherings or grand events. From elegant dinners to lavish receptions, dynamic conferences to captivating exhibitions, it provides the perfect backdrop for unforgettable experiences.

You can experience the blend of tradition and modernity in each corner of The Queens' building.

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Weddings

For those dreaming of a fairy-tale wedding or a civil ceremony in a setting steeped in elegance, you will have to wait until 2027. The Queens' building is currently undergoing essential renovations that are sure to further magnify the elegance of the entire building.

If you're planning your wedding for 2027 and beyond, please get in touch. Until then, visit our dedicated Weddings page for more information and indulge in a virtual tour of the venue through our captivating flythrough video of The Octagon room.

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